Falcons fall to 49ers in NFC Championship

Wide receiver Julio Jones #11 of the Atlanta Falcons catches a 46-yard touchdown in the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome on January 20, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Cornerback Tarell Brown #25 of the San Francisco 49ers breaks up a pass to wide receiver Julio Jones #11 of the Atlanta Falcons in the second half in the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome on January 20, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

ATLANTA (WXIA) -- The San Francisco 49ers are headed back to the Super Bowl for the first time since the 1994 season.

Frank Gore scored a pair of touchdowns in the second half and the 49ers rallied past the Atlanta Falcons, 28-24, in the NFC Championship Game.

The Falcons receive the kickoff in their own end zone and take the touchback, which brings them out to the 20.

3:12After a seven play drive, on 2nd and 9 from near midfield, Matt Ryan unloads a long pass downfield. Julio Jones grabs the pass on the fly at about the 5 and glides in for a touchdown.

3:17
After the kickoff, the 49ers went three plays and out, punting back to the Falcons.

3:31
Eleven plays into the next drive, the Falcons are backed up at 4th and long, Matt Bryant kicks a 35-yard field goal to send the Falcons up 10-0.

3:40
San Francisco QB Colin Kaepernick is gang-sacked, forcing yet another punt by the 49ers. With less than 2 minutes in the first quarter, the Falcons take over near their own 40.

3:47
First play of the second quarter, Ryan goes up top, and Julio Jones hauls it in in the back of the end zone for the touchdown. Falcons up 17-0.

4:03
On the 11th play of their drive, San Francisco running back LaMichael James takes the handoff from Kaepernick and runs in 15 yards for a touchdown. Atlanta leads 17-7.

4:08
After the kickoff, the Falcons are held to three downs and a punt. San Francisco takes over deep in their own territory.

4:19
Kaepernick over the top to Davis from the Atlanta 5 yard line, touchdown 49ers. Falcons lead 17-14.

4:28
2nd and 4 from the SF 10, Ryan rifles one to Tony Gonzalez, touchdown Falcons! Falcons extend their lead to 24-14 just before the half.

4:32
The Atlanta Falcons take a 10-point lead into the half, up 24-14.

4:46
The 49ers set up on their own 18 to open the second half.

4:53
49ers running back Frank Gore takes a hand-off from Kaepernick and runs it in from the Atlanta 5 on 1st and goal, touchdown 49ers. Falcons lead is cut to 24-21.

5:03
First turnover of the game -- Ryan throws toward Roddy White, and is picked off by defensive back Chris Culliver; San Francisco takes over on their own 33 yard line.

5:08
San Francisco kicker David Akers tries to put up a field goal from 38 yards out and bounces it off of the left upright - no good! Falcons lead remains 24-21 as they take over on downs on their own 20.

5:16
Ryan fumbles on the snap, and in a scrum, comes up empty. Alden Smith comes up with the ball, 1st and 10 San Francisco from their own 37.

5:25
As the 4th quarter gets under way, the 49ers fumble the ball on the goal line, turning it over to the Falcons! Atlanta still leads, 24-21.

5:36
First and goal from the Atlanta 10, Kaepernick hands off to Gore, who runs in for the touchdown. 49ers lead, 28-24 with 8:23 left in the game.

5:50
Two minute warning, the Falcons are inside the San Francisco 20 and on the march. 49ers still lead, 28-24. A trip to New Orleans and a date with Lombardi are on the line.

5:54
4th and 4, the 49ers take over on downs, and no flags on the play. San Francisco leads 28-24 with just over a minute remaining.

49ers win the game, the George Halas Trophy and a trip to New Orleans to play in Super Bowl XLVII two weeks from today.